26 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap. 



with spears fell into it and was allowed to lie there, 

 and that after a little while it jumped up and made 

 off. Through this event the streamlet has acquired 

 a great reputation, and passing boats generally stop 

 in order that the crews may splash some of the 

 water on their heads and faces, and so be cured of 

 any ailments they may happen to have at the time. 

 These therapeutic effects are attributed to the Tok 

 of the stream. 



The Joh play a considerable part in regulating 

 conduct ; for they are the powers that bring mis- 

 fortunes upon a whole house or village when any 

 member of it ignores tabus or otherwise breaks 

 customs, without performing the propitiatory rites 

 demanded by the occasion. Thus on them, rather 

 than on the gods, are founded the effective sanctions 

 of prohibitive rules of conduct. For the propitia- 

 tion of offended Toh fowls' eggs and the blood of 

 fowls and of young pigs are used, the explanations 

 and apologies being offered generally by the 

 chief or some other influential person, while the 

 blood is sprinkled on the culprit or other source 

 of offence. 



The beliefs and practices of the Kenyahs and 

 Klemantans in regard to spirits of this class are 

 very similar to those of the Kayans. They designate 

 them by the same general name, Toh, 



We are doubtful whether the Sea Dayaks can 

 properly be said to have any religion. They believe 

 in a number of mythical and legendary heroes in 

 whose honour they indulge in heavy feasting; but 

 none of these seem to be credited with the attri- 

 butes of a god, or to evoke on the part of the 

 people the specifically religious emotions and at- 

 titudes — awe, reverence, supplication, trust, grati- 

 tude, and hope. Their cult of the Petara seems 

 to show traces of Javanese and Hindu influence 

 or origin. They believe in a multitude of ill- 



